Full spectrum vs broad spectrum vs CBD isolate. What is right combination of cannabinoid supplement for you?
What Are Cannabinoids, and Why Do They Matter
Endocannabinoids are molecules produced naturally in all of our bodies and they are essential in maintaining balance within many of the systems in our bodies. The Endocannabinoid System has been found in numerous research articles to support and regulate the nervous, digestive, immune and limbic systems and they appear to be involved, in some way, with every system in the body.
As a result of our high stress lifestyles we expend our natural cannabinoids quickly and there is often a need to use diet and supplementation to assist the body in achieving the appropriate levels of the cannabinoids it requires to thrive.
How can we up-regulate and support the Endocannabinoid System?
1) We can eat more foods or supplements that provide the necessary precursors (essential fatty acids like the omega-3 found in fish oils) to allow our bodies to build more of the endogenous cannabinoids, like Anandamide
Or
2) We can consume phytocannabinoids. Phytocannabinoids are molecules found in plants (phyto means plant) that closely resemble the Endocannabinoids we produce naturally and have the ability to be utilized by our bodies Endocananbinoid System. The most significant source of these phytocannabinoids is the hemp plant. Hemp not only provides the dominant phytocannabinoid called cannabidiol (CBD), but also supplies a multitude of other important phytocannabinoids that significantly contribute to the benefits hemp provides the human body.
Believe it or not, CBD (cannabidiol) is just one of 100+ cannabinoids that have been identified in the cannabis sativa (hemp) plant… and that doesn’t include all the other compounds that can add health benefits.
In addition to a “full inclusion” of cannabinoids, full spectrum CBD contains an assortment of other beneficial plant-based ingredients. These ingredients may include:
· ESSENTIAL VITAMINS AND MINERALS
· BENEFICIAL FATTY ACIDS (I.E. OMEGA-3 AND OMEGA-6)
· PLANT-BASED PROTEIN AND FIBER
· CHLOROPHYLL
· TERPENES
· FLAVONOIDS
Sometimes companies try to claim there isn’t much of a difference between oils that are full spectrum, broad spectrum and CBD isolate but they are far from the same! CBD is the trendy cannabinoid at the moment because it is found in such high concentrations in the hemp plant that it has been easier to research. That doesn’t mean CBD is the best or the only cannabinoid providing nourishment to your body!
Depending on what exactly you are trying to achieve, full spectrum CBD oils usually work better than CBD isolate. In fact, research has shown that cannabinoids “working together” are much more effective than cannabinoids working by themselves. This phenomenon is known as the entourage effect. We will talk about the entourage effect in a more detail a little later.
Also, one last thing before we explain the benefits of full-spectrum CBD oil. It’s important to understand that full-spectrum CBD can come from both hemp and marijuana. Products that are for sale online (and that can be shipped to all 50 states) are made from industrial hemp. Industrial hemp has a THC content lower than 0.3%, and thus has no psychoactive attributes and it is legal federally.
So, what are the differences between Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum and Isolate?
In a nutshell, these terms are used to define which types of cannabinoids can be found in the product. Each type presents important factors to consider, and understanding the difference is essential for every hemp user.
Exploring the Cannabinoid Spectrum
The cannabinoid spectrum range contained within a product is what determines whether the product is full spectrum, broad spectrum, or CBD isolate.
Now let’s discuss what each term means and help point you in the direction of which is best for you.
What is CBD Isolate?
When you create an isolate you extract ONLY one compound, in this case CBD. CBD isolate is the sequestered form of CBD and is produced by removing all other compounds found in the plant including terpenes, flavonoids, plant parts, and other cannabinoids. Consuming an isolate is like consuming an individual vitamin and hoping it has the same effect as eating the organic whole fruit that vitamin is naturally found. The vitamin supplement is ok once in a while but only when you don’t have access to the whole fruit.
What is Full Spectrum Hemp - CBD?
Full spectrum hemp – CBD extract contains ALL compounds found naturally in the plant, including terpenes, essential oils, and other cannabinoids.
The full spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, and essential oils extracted from the plant work together to magnify the therapeutic benefits of each individual cannabinoid.
It was previously believed that the more concentrated form of CBD (isolate) would be more effective than Full Spectrum Hemp - CBD; however, in 2005, this theory was debunked by a landmark study by world renowned cannabis researcher Dr. Mechoulam from the Lautenberg Center for General Tumor Immunology in Jerusalem.
In the study, researchers found that test subjects administered with full spectrum cannabinoids were provided with higher levels of relief, compared to subjects administered with CBD isolate. In addition, the results showed that higher dosages of full spectrum cannabis provided enhanced effects while the effects of CBD isolate did not increase with higher dosages. In other words, the magnitude of the benefits was limited when using the isolate.
What is Broad Spectrum CBD?
Broad spectrum CBD is a bit of a mix between Full Spectrum Hemp-CBD and CBD Isolate.
Like Full Spectrum CBD, the other compounds found within the plant are preserved in the extract; however, like CBD Isolate, THC is completely removed which unfortunately limits the power of the entourage effect.
What is the best way of supplying the body with the cannabinoids needed to maximize our own Endocannabinoid System (ECS)?
Consuming full spectrum CO2 extracted hemp oil from aerial parts – the richest source of phytocannabinoids. While the hemp plant contains over 100+ different phytocannabinoids, full spectrum hemp oils are the most effective as they contain the full family of phytocannabinoids – not just CBD!
As we noted, the full collection of phytocannabinoids has been shown to be more clinically beneficial as compared to single magic bullet CBD isolates.
Phytocannabinoids can also be found in foods such as carrots, chocolate, Echinacea, clove, pepper, thyme, hops, rosemary, but unfortunately, they only contain trace amounts so you would have to consume an enormous amount of these foods and spices to have any beneficial effect.
Hemp is really the most effective option for phytocannabinoid consumption and ECS support. Research has described combination of diet, synergistic supplements (like copaiba and essential fatty acids), massage, movement and acupuncture as ways to support your body’s ECS.
What Are Cannabinoids, and Why Do They Matter
Endocannabinoids are molecules produced naturally in all of our bodies and they are essential in maintaining balance within many of the systems in our bodies. The Endocannabinoid System has been found in numerous research articles to support and regulate the nervous, digestive, immune and limbic systems and they appear to be involved, in some way, with every system in the body.
As a result of our high stress lifestyles we expend our natural cannabinoids quickly and there is often a need to use diet and supplementation to assist the body in achieving the appropriate levels of the cannabinoids it requires to thrive.
How can we up-regulate and support the Endocannabinoid System?
1) We can eat more foods or supplements that provide the necessary precursors (essential fatty acids like the omega-3 found in fish oils) to allow our bodies to build more of the endogenous cannabinoids, like Anandamide
Or
2) We can consume phytocannabinoids. Phytocannabinoids are molecules found in plants (phyto means plant) that closely resemble the Endocannabinoids we produce naturally and have the ability to be utilized by our bodies Endocananbinoid System. The most significant source of these phytocannabinoids is the hemp plant. Hemp not only provides the dominant phytocannabinoid called cannabidiol (CBD), but also supplies a multitude of other important phytocannabinoids that significantly contribute to the benefits hemp provides the human body.
Believe it or not, CBD (cannabidiol) is just one of 100+ cannabinoids that have been identified in the cannabis sativa (hemp) plant… and that doesn’t include all the other compounds that can add health benefits.
In addition to a “full inclusion” of cannabinoids, full spectrum CBD contains an assortment of other beneficial plant-based ingredients. These ingredients may include:
· ESSENTIAL VITAMINS AND MINERALS
· BENEFICIAL FATTY ACIDS (I.E. OMEGA-3 AND OMEGA-6)
· PLANT-BASED PROTEIN AND FIBER
· CHLOROPHYLL
· TERPENES
· FLAVONOIDS
Sometimes companies try to claim there isn’t much of a difference between oils that are full spectrum, broad spectrum and CBD isolate but they are far from the same! CBD is the trendy cannabinoid at the moment because it is found in such high concentrations in the hemp plant that it has been easier to research. That doesn’t mean CBD is the best or the only cannabinoid providing nourishment to your body!
Depending on what exactly you are trying to achieve, full spectrum CBD oils usually work better than CBD isolate. In fact, research has shown that cannabinoids “working together” are much more effective than cannabinoids working by themselves. This phenomenon is known as the entourage effect. We will talk about the entourage effect in a more detail a little later.
Also, one last thing before we explain the benefits of full-spectrum CBD oil. It’s important to understand that full-spectrum CBD can come from both hemp and marijuana. Products that are for sale online (and that can be shipped to all 50 states) are made from industrial hemp. Industrial hemp has a THC content lower than 0.3%, and thus has no psychoactive attributes and it is legal federally.
So, what are the differences between Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum and Isolate?
In a nutshell, these terms are used to define which types of cannabinoids can be found in the product. Each type presents important factors to consider, and understanding the difference is essential for every hemp user.
Exploring the Cannabinoid Spectrum
The cannabinoid spectrum range contained within a product is what determines whether the product is full spectrum, broad spectrum, or CBD isolate.
Now let’s discuss what each term means and help point you in the direction of which is best for you.
What is CBD Isolate?
When you create an isolate you extract ONLY one compound, in this case CBD. CBD isolate is the sequestered form of CBD and is produced by removing all other compounds found in the plant including terpenes, flavonoids, plant parts, and other cannabinoids. Consuming an isolate is like consuming an individual vitamin and hoping it has the same effect as eating the organic whole fruit that vitamin is naturally found. The vitamin supplement is ok once in a while but only when you don’t have access to the whole fruit.
What is Full Spectrum Hemp - CBD?
Full spectrum hemp – CBD extract contains ALL compounds found naturally in the plant, including terpenes, essential oils, and other cannabinoids.
The full spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, and essential oils extracted from the plant work together to magnify the therapeutic benefits of each individual cannabinoid.
It was previously believed that the more concentrated form of CBD (isolate) would be more effective than Full Spectrum Hemp - CBD; however, in 2005, this theory was debunked by a landmark study by world renowned cannabis researcher Dr. Mechoulam from the Lautenberg Center for General Tumor Immunology in Jerusalem.
In the study, researchers found that test subjects administered with full spectrum cannabinoids were provided with higher levels of relief, compared to subjects administered with CBD isolate. In addition, the results showed that higher dosages of full spectrum cannabis provided enhanced effects while the effects of CBD isolate did not increase with higher dosages. In other words, the magnitude of the benefits was limited when using the isolate.
What is Broad Spectrum CBD?
Broad spectrum CBD is a bit of a mix between Full Spectrum Hemp-CBD and CBD Isolate.
Like Full Spectrum CBD, the other compounds found within the plant are preserved in the extract; however, like CBD Isolate, THC is completely removed which unfortunately limits the power of the entourage effect.
What is the best way of supplying the body with the cannabinoids needed to maximize our own Endocannabinoid System (ECS)?
Consuming full spectrum CO2 extracted hemp oil from aerial parts – the richest source of phytocannabinoids. While the hemp plant contains over 100+ different phytocannabinoids, full spectrum hemp oils are the most effective as they contain the full family of phytocannabinoids – not just CBD!
As we noted, the full collection of phytocannabinoids has been shown to be more clinically beneficial as compared to single magic bullet CBD isolates.
Phytocannabinoids can also be found in foods such as carrots, chocolate, Echinacea, clove, pepper, thyme, hops, rosemary, but unfortunately, they only contain trace amounts so you would have to consume an enormous amount of these foods and spices to have any beneficial effect.
Hemp is really the most effective option for phytocannabinoid consumption and ECS support. Research has described combination of diet, synergistic supplements (like copaiba and essential fatty acids), massage, movement and acupuncture as ways to support your body’s ECS.